Recent evidence indicates that nearly half of all metropolitan and non-metropolitan councils have installed CCTV within their town centers. This report attempts to explain how CCTV can be used to best effect in controlling crime and disorder within public places. Implications of the study for good practice in the use of CCTV are: (1) Camera systems should be fully integrated into police command and control strategies; (2) A high degree of camera coverage is required to be most effective in tackling crime; (3) Care must be taken to ensure that personal crimes such as robbery and theft will not be displaced to neighboring areas where coverage is not so good but there are similar opportunities for such crimes; and (4) CCTV and successes in its use should be well publicized both to help reduce fear of crime and to help deter offenders. Figures, tables, note, references